Porch Light Jack-o’-lantern

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

I was late off the block for Halloween this year, and only decided yesterday to pass out candy. I wanted a clear signal for trick-or-treaters that my house was open for business, and I didn’t want to spend any money. This is my last-minute solution.

The glass globe is actually white; the orange color comes from the CFL “bug light” inside. I drew the face on free-hand, with a Sharpie, then filled it in with pieces of black electrical tape trimmed to shape, in place, with a hobby knife. Electrical tape works great for this because it’s elastic enough to smooth down against a round surface. The leftover sharpie marks were easily cleaned off with a paper towel and a dab of rubbing alcohol.

The result was much better than I expected. If I weren’t ineligible, I’d probably enter it in the Halloween contest “decor” category. There are a few more pics in my Flickr set.

Inspired to make something for Halloween? Be sure to enter it in our MAKE Halloween contest to win cool prizes. Costumes, decor, food, whatever you create for Halloween, is welcome in the contest.

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.